Sign



H. F. FABIAN Jan. 3, 1928.

SIGN

Filed March 18, 1927 --7. 72y- NTOJZ $2751.2 jazz? ably arranged in horizontal rows.

Patented Jan. 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES HARRY II. FAIBIAN, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGN.

Application filed March 18, 1927.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a sign, and has for its primary object to improve the construction of such devices in order to produce an inexpensive but eflicient structure for displaying advertisements.

Another object of the invention is to utilizethe inherent flexibility of letter blocks for mounting and demounting them.

A further object of the invention -1S the provision of holding flanges for the letter blocks formed from sections of the metal surrounding the openings 'i'nja panel and across which the letter blocks are disposed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sign including a panel having openings therethrough, means to hold letter blocks across said openings, forammous material disposed across said openings to pre vent rearward displacement of the letter blocks, and guides to hold strips of materlal which may be of different colors to impart desired shades to rows of letters.

With these and other ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may understand how to make and use the same. I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying draw ngs forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a sign constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3, is a section of Fig. 2 on the line 33.

Fig. 4, is an enlarged the letter blocks.

Fig. 5, is a face view of one of the letter blocks.

In carrying out my invention as herein embodied, 6 represents a suitable enclosure or housing for the usual sign illuminating device, generally an electric light. Across the front of the enclosure is disposed a panel having a plurality of apertures 8 preferedge view of one of The material of the panel about the two sides and bottom of each aperture is bent outward and fashioned into an angular flange 9 forming in effect a channel around Serial No. 176,328;

three sides of the aperture for the reception of the rim 10 of a letter block 11'.

Each letter block is dishshapcd and formed from transparent or translucent flex.- ible'material whereby it may be bent sutli-- clently to permit insertion of the side rim portions of the letter block into the side channels about an aperture above the bottom channel, and then slid downward until the bottom rim portion seats in the bottom chan nel when the letter block will be held against accidental outward displacement. The letter blocks have the various letters of the alpha.- bet, numerals and symbols delineated. therc on. Also some of the blocks are made opaque to act as spacers.

To prevent the letter blocks from being inwardly displaced, a guard 12 of openwork or foraminous material, preferably wire screening, is placed across the apertures and fixed to the inner or rear face of the panel 7.

Above and below each row and secured to the rear face 12 are horizontal guides 14 open at one end for the reception of colored strips 15 of celluloid or other suitable material whereby colored effects may be given to the fields of the letter blocks. y leaving the guides open at one end, the strips 15 may be inserted or withdrawn without opening the back of the sign.

Other guides 16 may be provided for the reception of a card 17 bearing a legend which may be a cut-out with the openings covered by a colored or plain material. Like the guides 14, said guides 16 are open at one end.

All of the guides are open at one end at one side of the sign to permit easy insertion and removal of the strips and card.

By constructing a sign in this manner, the letter blocks may be positioned from the front of the sign so that the operator will have no difliculty in composing the words desired. The strips and card may be readily inserted Without the necessity of opening any part of the sign structure.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. A sign including a panel having rows of apertures of the guard formed therein,

25 able in the side in the bottom flanges,

of apertures therethrough, angular flanges formed from the side and bottom edges of the panel surrounding the apertures, said flanges projecting outwardly, letter blocks having rims, and capable of flexion to permit insertion of the side rims in the side flanges and slidahle to seat thebottom rims and a guard disposed across the apertures andsecured to the rear face of the panel to prevent inward displacement of the blocks. a v

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein the guard is of foraininous material. 7 3. A sign comprising a housing, a panel disposed across the front of the housing and having horizontal rows of apertures angular flanges fashioned from the panel about two sides and the bottoms of all apertures, a wire screening guard disposed across the apertures and fixed to the inner face of'said panel, letter blocks'of flexible material provided with rims, and bendable for insertion of the side rims in the side flanges, said'blocks being then slidflanges to seat the bottom rims in the bottom flanges, parallel horizontal guides secured to the inner face of the guard, one at the top and one at the bottom of each row of apertures, said guides being open at one end at the side of the panel for access Without opening any part of the sign structure to permit insertion and removal of strips of colored material, and

other guides open at the side of the sign to perzinit insertion or'withdrawal of a legend car Y L 4:. A sign including a source of light and a panel, the latterhaving rowsof apertures therein, angular flanges formed from the panel about three sides of the apertures and adapted to receive translucent letter blocks, guides mounted at the rear of the panel, one above and one below each row of apertures and open at one end, at one side of the panel, and strips of 'translucent colored material removably mounted in said guides. to

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

HARRY F. FABIAN. 

